Peter’s Pence: the “Myth” it’s for Charity

Rorate Caeli:

@RorateCaeli

36m36 minutes ago

Pope Pius IX reestablished Peter’s Pence once he started receiving gifts from the faithful following the demise of the Pontifical States. It is ALSO for the poor, but it is mostly for the upkeep of the Holy See, which has no taxes to support itself. (Saepe Venerabiles)

‏@RorateCaeli

33m33 minutes ago

But the nature of Peter’s Pence should not be confused. The Roman Pontiff will obviously use some for charity, but most for the upkeep of the Roman See.

(It would be interesting to research from where  this most recent myth originated – that Peter’s pence a priori has anything to do with charity. A posteriori, maybe – if possible; a priori by definition no.)

Yet the source of the “myth” seems  clear – The Vatican and the bishops of the United States:

From the website of the USCCB:

The Peter’s Pence Collection unites us in solidarity to the Holy See and its works of charity to those in need. Your generosity allows the Pope to respond to our suffering brothers and sisters.

 The purpose of the Peter’s Pence Collection is to provide the Holy Father with the financial means to respond to those who are suffering as a result of war, oppression, natural disaster, and disease.

The Peter’s Pence Collection has raised nearly $190 million to support our suffering brothers and sisters around the globe.

History:

The Peter’s Pence Collection derives its name from an ancient custom. In ninth-century England. King Alfred the Great collected money, a “pence,” from landowners as financial support for the Pope. Today, the Peter’s Pence Collection supports the Pope’s philanthropy by giving the Holy Father the means to provide emergency assistance to those in need because of natural disaster, war, oppression, and disease.

SOURCE

UPDATE:

Peter’s Pence, as a gesture of fervent charity, is therefore for Pope Francis, a choral response of the universal Church, to the evangelical and biblical exhortations inviting us to fraternal love, to humble and generous service, to justice, to mercy towards the poor. Jesus indicated this path of the acknowledgement of the other so that everyone can feel welcomed, loved and encouraged to live according to the blessed life offered by the Gospel.

SOURCE (with many  other passages and pictures)